Love Does Not Insist On Its Own Way - Church

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March 25, 2007 - 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:5b (1 Corinthians 12:12-31)

Open It

  1. When have you felt insignificant in an organization?

  2. What functions in the church do you feel are most important? Why?

Explore It

  1. In what way are Christians like a human body? (12:12-13)

  2. Why should outward appearances or status not matter to us? (12:13)

  3. What unifies all Christians? (12:13)

  4. What lessons are there in seeing the church as a human body? (12:14-17)

  5. Who arranged the parts of the body of Christ? (12:18)

  6. Why shouldn't all Christians perform the same function? (12:19)

  7. Why should members of the body of Christ not say to each other, "I don't need you"? (12:21-22)

  8. Why should the less honorable parts be treated with special attention? (12:23)

  9. How has God combined the members of the body of Christ? (12:24-26)

  10. Who is part of the body of Christ? (12:27)

  11. What functions are necessary in the body? (12:28-29)

Get It

  1. How might you compare your place in the body of Christ to a part of the human body?

  2. How well do you interact with other members in the body of Christ?

  3. When have you felt like an important or insignificant part of the body?

  4. What part do you serve in the body of Christ?

  5. What has God appointed you to be in the body of Christ?

  6. Why do people often assume that certain duties in the church are more important?

  7. How can you honor the contributions of others in your church?

  8. How can you treat the "weaker" members of your fellowship as indispensable?

  9. What can you do to suffer with those in the church who suffer and rejoice with those who are honored?

  10. What should we do when there is division among Christians in a local church?

  11. What do you think are your personal responsibilities in the body of Christ?

  12. What difference should it make in your life that you have been given the Holy Spirit?

  13. How can you show a desire for the greater gifts?

Apply It

  1. What is one way you can show concern and love for another member of your church?

  2. What would be the best way to use your unique abilities in the body of Christ this year?

Notes

1 Cor. 12:12: Paul compares the body of Christ to a human body. Each part has a specific function that is necessary to the body as a whole. The parts are different for a purpose, and in their differences they must work together. Christians must avoid two common errors: (1) being too proud of their abilities, or (2) thinking they have nothing to give to the body of believers.

1 Cor. 12:13: The church is composed of many types of people from a variety of backgrounds with a multitude of gifts and abilities. It is easy for these differences to divide people, as was the case in Corinth. But despite the differences, all believers have one thing in common-faith in Christ. On this essential truth the church finds unity. All believers are baptized by one Holy Spirit into one body of believers, the church. We don't lose our individual identities, but we have an overriding oneness in Christ. When a person becomes a Christian, the Holy Spirit takes up residence, and he or she is born into God's family.

1 Cor. 12:14-24: Using the analogy of the body, Paul emphasizes the importance of each church member. If a seemingly insignificant part is taken away, the whole body becomes less effective. Thinking that your gift is more important than someone else's is an expression of spiritual pride. We should not look down on those who seem unimportant, and we should not be jealous of others who have impressive gifts. Instead, we should use the gifts we have been given and encourage others to use theirs. If we don't, the body of believers will be less effective.

1 Cor. 12:25-26: What is your response when a fellow Christian is honored? How do you respond when someone is suffering? We are called to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15). Too often, unfortunately, we are jealous of those who rejoice and apathetic toward those who weep. Believers are in the world together-there is no such thing as private or individualistic Christianity. We shouldn't stop with enjoying only our own relationship with God; we need to get involved in the lives of others.

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